We begin out on the trail, with a long and steep ascent to lunch on narrow trails, through grassland and then up through the clouds. We will be climbing steadily for between 3 – 3.5 hours, before the trail opens out onto a wide plain, where we will stop for lunch – feeling the effects of the ascent, we are now at 3,750m.

Continuing on for approx. another 2 hours of ascent, to the highest point of the trail, the impressive Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,270m), with striking views into the valley.

The final stretch of the day is a steep descent, of about 700m taking us another 2 hours of trekking, before we reach the Pacaymayo valley, where we camp for the evening.

For some, this is the toughest day of the trek – with a long day of trekking ahead of us – we rise early, to make the most of the light setting out just after an early breakfast. The trail is steep in places, and mostly steps – we are rewarded with the Inca ruins of Runcu Raccay peppering the route. We ascend up to a pass over 4,000m, where we can have a short pause to take in the spectacular views of the Vilcabamba range, before descending the steps down the other side.

Walking on a well-preserved Inca pathway, it takes us another 2 hours before we reach the Sayacmarca ruins, which is one of the highlights of the trail. We will then continue along the ridge, up to the Puyupatamarca ruins. Our descent begins downhill on an ‘Inca staircase’, which is steep and winding, after 2-3 hours the trail brings us into the cloud forest and the outstanding site of Winay-Wayna, which means “Forever Young” , which we explore before heading into our camp. The evening will then conclude with a group dinner before we get some much needed sleep.